Filmmaker & Producer Sophia Shek’s Hong Kong Is A Visual Feast

Born in Scotland and drawn to the creative pulse of Hong Kong, film director and production whizz Sophia Shek shares a local perspective on life in a region where all your senses are activated.

Sophia Shek has lived in Hong Kong on and off now for decades, grabbing a one-way ticket after graduating from their animation class at a Scotland art school.

Pulled to the city after getting a taste of its body of film and television work at home, the “producer by heart” and “fixer by trade” has spent 25 years working their way up in the industry, although they promise they’re “still loving” every minute of it.

Based in Tai Po – an area in the northern suburbs of the New Territories – work often keeps Sophia in Hong Kong, where they provide production services for anyone who wants to shoot film in the city.

While plenty of days are filled with the laborious tasks of responding to emails, co-ordinating meetings and inquiring about company costs, the “bread and butter” job takes them from the suburbs of Tsing Yi to Chai Wan and everywhere in between, sometimes providing the opportunity to go further overseas.

Sophia’s world revolves around Hong Kong, but their job lends them the chance to experience something new every day, meeting and working alongside high-profile actors and directors from every corner of the globe.

“I love meeting people from around the world and getting to experience Hong Kong through them,” Sophia says as they explain the rewards of their work. “And I am very lucky to have access to places not everyone has seen in Hong Kong.”

However, a job with such demands is sure to hold some unexpected bumps along the way.

“Sometimes when we get a rider (I shall not name names) we are very amused at what they are asking for. Sometimes [when] they have all the money in the world, it makes acquiring items easier, but sometimes when they don’t, we have to find solutions.”

As a queer artist, Sophia finds comfort in having “the capacity to give back” to their community, seeking to help minorities in their industry make their films by working on stories they identify with and believe in. With queer, POC, or female-led projects and workers under-represented in the industry, Sophia’s support expresses itself through leading this creative work.

“If they feel I can be part of their journey, I would love to help.”

What’s working in the movie world like and what is next on the agenda?

There isn’t one film the self-described “Scottish Hong Konger” hasn’t enjoyed working on.

“I love all the films I’ve produced so far. Short or feature, I am proud of the journey I’ve taken/am taking with them.”

However, if there was one film for Sophia to praise their involvement in, Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong comes straight to mind.

“Next year [2025] we are officially 10 years old. It’s because of this film I met my current romantic partner and it’s a story-film in itself but I truly believe because of this film, a lot of doors opened for me.

“So I am thankful for Emily Ting for taking a chance with me, with us. When I look back this was a turning point of my producing career and I finally embraced using ‘producer’ as my title.”

While acknowledging the successes and accomplishments of the past is helpful upon reflection, chasing a string of awards isn’t at the top of Sophia’s radar.

“I always thought I needed to win accolades to be recognised, but honestly I am happy,” Sophia says. “I’m still passionate about producing and I just want to continue making films.

“The best thing about my work is there’s no retirement age.”

Sophia keeps their eyes set on the future, working on two new short films in collaboration with Trans+ On Screen − the first UK directory for transgender and non-binary creatives working in front and behind the camera.

“I have a queer short film called Goodnight Ladies directed by Alex Matraxia about one night at a drag show/bar and we are finally ready to send it to film festivals," they explain. “We are keeping our fingers crossed for a premiere soon.”

The other short film – an LGBTQIA+ horror/thriller – has landed funding from the British Film Institute and is poised to begin principal photography in South Africa imminently.

“Aside from this, I am eager to produce my next feature film, so I am developing feature scripts with queer and female-identifying directors.

“I am very fortunate to be attached to these up-and-coming directors.”

How do they find balance?

Over time, Sophia has learned to balance the personal passions and desires laced into their work with the expectations and reality of their everyday job, finding it’s imperative to “always know your place on a film set”.

Even then, Sophia knows they’re happiest when doing what they love, and that means filling the time with small joys. If not working, you’ll usually find Sophia on the tennis court, either competing, training, or playing socially.

“I am always smiling and living in the moment. I am usually really chilled on a film set,” Sophia explains. “I enter tennis tournaments so I always have a target to work towards.”

Still, for safe measure, Sophia feeds their soul by keeping a film in development at all times, which they can turn to when a free moment arises. “It balances the artist in me,” Sophia notes.

Sophia’s favourite things:

My favourite modern movie is ... The Last Dance, a Hong Kong film. It was part of the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival 2024 which I also attended as a filmmaker. The casting and acting for all the leads for me is career-best. A wonderful Hong Kong film that I would love to take my parents to watch. A film about finding life within death.

My favourite old film and the one that had the biggest impact on me was ... ET. I remember my mum giving me money to queue up to watch it with my cousins at our local cinema. There were no seats left so we were told to sit at the front of the cinema which were seats used for Bingo. I was in awe all the way through, the screen was so big I never really got the full picture. I revisited the film again in the cinema when it had its 20th anniversary. I was in Sydney at the time studying film and I just thought to myself I am now doing my dream job and I guess this film really captured me back then.

A movie I rewatch regularly is ... Carol (my annual Christmas or New Year film).

A series I rewatch regularly is ... Black Mirror, specifically San Junipero from Season 3. Whenever I am unhappy or need a perk up, this episode gives me great joy. Both do.

My favourite book is ... Open, a beautiful autobiography by Andre Agassi. He had this love-hate relationship with tennis and I guess I am a sucker for fairy tales as he talks about his love for Steffi Graf. The perfect tennis fairy tale. Andre’s tough training and raw talent made him a rock star but he was always searching for something as he was also rebellious. When he finally found love with Steffi, it talks about his battle with all his injuries, but he continued with tennis until he was ready to say goodbye with his family and Steffi by his side. I wasn’t Andre’s biggest fan growing up but when I finally read Open that changed everything.

The TV show I love at the moment is ... The Bear. I loved the first season and I am invested in all the characters.

When it comes to my favourite artist or creative ... I don’t think I have one but I saw a great exhibition at M+ of Yayoi Kusama with 200+ of her works. What a prolific and incredible artist. The curation was fabulous and a very extensive collection. We were lucky to experience it on our doorstep.

My favourite album or piece of music is ... More than Words by Extreme. I don’t know how many times I’ve listened to this song. It’s one of my most liked songs on my Spotify! Lol.

When I wake up ... I try to start my day with some meditation so there’s a singing bowl list on my Spotify.

When I’m working ... I sometimes listen to 90s CantoPop. I tend to listen to familiar music. Plus it is nostalgic and I learned a lot of Cantonese from watching Hong Kong TV dramas/films and music from that period.

A piece of clothing I recently bought is ... This retro green Lacoste track top and bottom. It’s probably my most expensive purchase to date. I take it to all the tennis tournaments I play and watch now. Most of my clothes are associated with tennis! I have a tailored tuxedo for my red carpet appearance and I want a new one, so I am waiting for the right moment!

My favourite shop for fashion is ... Uniqlo, and if I want to splash you’ll find me at Lacoste.

The jewellery piece I wear every day is ... this silver necklace with a pendant of a rainbow attached to a tennis ball, which I’ve worn for more than 10 years. It was my first gift for myself when I finally got to watch Wimbledon for the first time. I’ve since added a mini silver tennis racquet and a ring made out of an old Hong Kong 10-cent coin with my birth year on it.

My favourite district of Hong Kong is ... Tai Po in the New Territories. It’s always been my home when I am in Hong Kong. I don’t care how I look when I go downstairs, I can be wearing my home clothes and not have my hair done and I feel comfortable. It’s got this homey neighbourhood vibe. People in general are nice and easygoing. And all my family are mainly there too.

My favourite bar, cafe or restaurant in Hong Kong is ... Ping Pong 129. It’s a bar with many memories. For 10 years I’ve been going there, with great drinks, food and Juan (owner) is the best who always looks after me and my guests. I’ve celebrated my birthdays there as well as used it as a location for an important scene in Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong. This subsequently was the final scheduled shot for us and thus we held our wrap party there. It was wild and a fun party, we got kicked out at the end LOL.

Whenever I need a creative space to chill ... You’ll find me going to Soho House, in Hong Kong. It’s my home away from home.

When it comes to exercise in Hong Kong ... Give me a tennis court and someone to play tennis with. It can be anywhere. Currently, at the South China Athletic Association (SCAA) Tennis Centre I have a regular session with these retirees. They are in their late 60s up to 80s and they can hit anyone off the court.

I couldn’t pick my favourite movie theatre anywhere in the world, but in Hong Kong ... I love the Broadway Cinematheque. I’ve hosted and presented a lot of films there and also watched a lot of great art house films. It’s my go-to cinema on the Kowloon side and it has a great bookshop and film shop selling movie memorabilia and DVDs to Blu-rays. It’s probably the only art house cinema left in Hong Kong.

My favourite place in my home town (Forfar, Angus) in Scotland is ... Forfar Loch. Forfar is not a huge town, but I have fond memories of walking around the loch at the end of term or going there as kids to play with my family. Now my childhood friends have kids, it’s our go-to place to catch up while the kids play. The loch is full of life and nature and it’s still as pretty as ever.

When I need to get inspired ... I go deep within myself! I don’t think I need to go anywhere to be inspired. Inspiration comes from all walks of life, from the people I work with to the things I work on, to anywhere I am privileged to travel to.

An event I’m looking forward to is ... Planning my tennis Grand Slam event. My favourite is Wimbledon so Wimbledon 2025 here I come. Each and every time I walk through the gates I still get a buzz like I did the first time. It’s so pretty and classy. Tennis on grass is beautiful and it only happens once in the calendar year.

A travel destination I’ve always wanted to visit is ... Less of a travel destination. I’ve always wanted to see the Aurora Borealis and it’ll be perfect if I can see it in Scotland.

What’s exciting me right now is ... Meeting the Viva team and the prospect of visiting them in New Zealand one day soon since I’ve never been!

Tom Rose is an Auckland-based digital producer and editorial assistant for the Herald who covers lifestyle, entertainment, and travel.

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